The panels are about 1 1/2" thicker than factory. Slightly thicker than the florescent fixtures that hang on the ceiling. Still also have some trim work to do as well.
A few more pics, it's mostly done now. I'm going to add one more recessed LED in the middle portion.
Overall the van seems a bit more quiet, even going down the road. The dark ceiling also aids in sleeping in later in the morning (not so bright )The added insulation has to help with temps somewhat I imagine.
I added an LED with it's own switch on the ceiling between the two front seats for lighting during eating or board games at night.
Great job! This project has been on/off my mind every time we hit the road, especially since my stereo guy put a nice big hole in the ply liner where he thought to mount the flip down DVD player before realizing it interfered with the roof being lowered, now there's a nice grey fabric covered patch staring at me every time we pop the top. I suppose I could get a piece of panel with edging up there instead. Another thing that bothers me is that the paneling has waves in it in between the screws, plus it just looks cheap.
Do you have to remove the roof bars in this project, or do they remain attached, just remove the padded section that covers them?
Did you cover your existing j-hooks or find ones like that? I had to get new ones (that still rattle) with a longer threaded section and ground the threaded section down until it fit in the nut to where the top snugged down more.
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'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
(de)SMB'd Custom RB-50
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile Offroad's R.I.P. package
CCV High Profile Pop Top
I just removed the padded sections and re-covered them.
The front J hooks I've had to grind them shorter to allow them to thread into the assembly further. The rear J hook I made out of a threaded eye bolt since it had to be about 1 1/2" shorter than the factory J hook due to the ceiling being dropped that distance.
I just used air hose to cover the front J hooks to silence them.
Saline: A few questions about your headliner project....
Where did you get the double recessed LED?
Did you remove and cover the original thin plywood headliner as well as fabricate the thick panels? It appears so. Do the crossbars slide easily over the fabric?
I need to replace the ceiling/ headliner in my SMB due to leakage. Yours turned out great. I was wondering how you went about removing the old one, and if anything needs to be done with the mechanism for holding up the roof (u-bars?).
)The added insulation has to help with temps somewhat I imagine.
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